NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 713, 8 January 1903, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night.A two-storied nine-roomed house on the Island Bay road, occupied by Mr R. G. Knight, saiimakcr, was destroyed by lire last night. The house was insured in the Commercial Union office for £6OO. The contents, which were saved, were insured. The origin oi the fire was unknown."" Licutcuant-Coloncl Messenger, for many, years in charge of the Permanent Artillery Force, atul Captain Falconer, in charge of the Torpedo Corps, has retired fromi the service. It is understood that Colonel Messenger will be replaced by Major Moor, of the Royal Engineers, who came out to the colony a year or two ago as a staff officer of artillery. Captain W. Coyle, inspector of submarine mining at Auckland, will temporarily fill the position occupied by Captain Falconer. Lieutenant-Colonel Ncwall, in charge of the Wellington district, is also to retire, and other changes arc pending. , , ...The body of a man supposed to be a labourer named Harry Rick, was found in the Wainuiomata stream yes terday. He is supposed to have been accidentally drowned. BLENHEIM, last night. A peculiar accident resulting in fatality, occurred to the infant son of A. H. Lucas, of the Telegraph Department, this morning. The child, aged two and a halt years, was playing with a kitten, and while putting it into or taking it out of a box the lid fell on the nape of the child’s neck, dislocating it. WESTPORT, this day. The warship Wallaroo is to visit Westport shortly,